Top native irises

28 species, native to the US, ranked by caterpillars, then bees and other hosts, food, flowers and shelter.

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28 native plants

Sun and shade

Light

Full sun 9 Part shade 12 Full shade 1

Soil and water

Moisture

Dry 3 Well drained 3 Moist 8 Wet 9

Water use

Low 1 Medium 5 High 3

Soil

Sand 3 Loam 3 Clay 1 Organic 3

Soil pH

Acid 8 Neutral 1 Alkaline 1

Toughness

Drought tolerant

Deer resistant

Resists

Wet soil 5 Diseases 1 Dry soil 1 Fire 1 Poor soil 1

Form

Habit

Erect 5 Clumping 3 Arching 1 Spreading 1

Plant type

Wildflower 24 Perennial 22 Poisonous 6 Bulb 5 Herbaceous perennial 3 Ground cover 1 Water plant 1